Final Exam Flashcards
“Life” cycle of viral replication
absorption, penetration, replication, release
DNA viruses
- most enter the host cell nucleus, where the viral DNA is integrated into the host genome and transcribed into mRNA by host DNA-dependent RNA polymerase; mRNA is translated into virus-specific proteins
- Poxviruses are an exception; they carry their own DNA-dependent RNA polymerase and replicate in the host cell cytoplasm
- viral genome replication requires DNA-dependent DNA polymerase
Double stranded RNA viruses require
RNA-dependent RNA polymerases
- so virus must make itself (RNA -> mRNA)
The viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase acts both as a …
transcriptase to transcribe mRNA and replicase to replicate the viral genome
This copies viral RNA into DNA (RNA-dependent DNA polymerase
reverse transcriptase
- the resulting viral DNA is integrated into the host DNA (then transcribed into mRNA and translated into protein by host enzymes)
Antiviral drugs can exert actions at several stages of viral replication including:
- viral entry
- nucleic acid synthesis
- protein synthesis
- viral packaging
- virion release
Virustatic
only active against replicating viruses and do not affect latent viruses
(antivirals!)
Acyclovir
- Anti-Herpes drug
- nucleoside (guanine) analogue (fake DNA binding block) which viruses incorporate into their genomes during replication
- lacks a hydroxyl group important for forming the backbone of the DNA molecule (DNA chain termination)
- *viral life cycle halted because newly synthesized DNA is inactive**
Thymidine kinase
acyclovir must be phosphorylated to acyclovir-triphosphate to be incorporated into viral DNA as a terminal substrate
- the first phosphate is added by TK, which has an affinity or acyclovir that is about 200 times that of the mammalian enzyme (specificity; does not affect human genome)
Acyclovir resistance in herpes simplex virus can result from:
- impaired production of viral thymidine kinase
- altered thymidine kinase substrate specificity (ex: phosphorylation of thymidine but not acyclovir)
- altered viral DNA polymerase
Lentivirus
- a family of retroviruses that lead to chronic persistent infection with gradual onset of clinical symptoms
- HIV
HIV infects these human immune cells
- CD4+ T cells
- when they decline below a critical level, cell mediated immunity is lost and the body becomes susceptible to opportunistic infections (AIDS)
- replication constant following infection; absence of treatment = no true period of viral latency following infection
HAART
- HIV
- involves drug combinations that can slow or reverse the increases in viral RNA load that normally accompany progression of disease
- antiviral HIV drugs target fusion, transcription, integration into host genome, and virion release
Maraviroc (HIV)
CCR5 receptor antagonist (interferes with HIV binding to T cell)
Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTI) (HIV)
- HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme synthesizes DNA from HIV RNA using nucleosides in the host T-cell (RNA dependent DNA polymerase)
- small molecule drugs that are similar to the host cell nucleosides, and are incorporated into new HIV DNA chain as if they were endogenous nucleosides
- because NRTIs lack a 3’ OH group on the ribose ring, attachment of the next nucleoside is impossible (chain termination)
- mammalian RNA and DNA polymerases are sufficiently distinct to permit a selective inhibition of viral reverse transcriptase
Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (INSTs) (HIV)
- integrase is a viral enzyme that inserts viral genome into the DNA of the host cell
- integrase inhibitors block the action of integrase to inhibit HIV proliferation
- Raltegravir
Protease Inhibitors (HIV)
- assembly of infectious HIV virion is dependent on aspartate proteases; this viral enzyme cleaves precursor proteins to form the final structural proteins of the mature virion core (inhibits last step before release)
- HIV protease inhibitors are designer drugs based on molecular characterization of the active site of the viral enzyme
- usually used in combination with reverse transcriptase inhibitors
- inhibitors bind to active site on aspartate proteases so proteins are no longer cleaved into that final mature form so inhibits ability of virion particle to mature and to be virulent
Amantadine
- Influenza
- inhibit an early step in replication (viral uncoating) of the influenza A virus
- M2 protein functions as a proton ion channel required at the onset of infection to permit acidification of the virus core, which in turn activates viral RNA transcriptase
- blocks proton (H+) transfer through M2, thus blocking acidification and the initiation of viral transcription
- prophylactic against A not B; can reduce duration of symptoms if given within 48 hours after contact
- BUT many resistant influenza A virus mutants (H3N2)
- vaccination is more cost-effective
This is an alternative in high-risk patients if the influenza vaccine cannot be administered or may be ineffective (immunocompromised)
seasonal prophylaxis using antivirals
Zanamivir
- neuraminidase inhibitors (influenza A and B)
- these enzymes cleave sialic acid residues from viral proteins that enables virus to be released from the host cell
- by interfering with these actions, neuraminidase inhibitors impede viral spread
The leading cause of death in Canada (1 in 4 deaths)
Cancer (over 100 types)
- Not really very good drugs to treat cancer
Metastasis
spreading to other parts of body
Radon
natural occurring gas in our soil that can be released overtime; Ab has some of the highest levels of radon in the soil in the world; poorly ventilated basement this can be an issue; second most cause of cancer after smoking
Cancer arises when this happens
when genes that regulate cell growth are mutated
- mutations occur and cells can detect it and initiates appropriate response = apoptosis
BUT in specific types of mutations, particularly in genes that regulate cell growth = mutation override cell’s ability to control or to regulate cell division so cell continues dividing despite mistakes made during duplication of DNA = unchecked/uncontrolled cell division
Cell cycle
- G1 phase: checkpoint to ensure cell ready for DNA synthesis
- S phase: DNA synthesis
- G2 phase: checkpoint to ensure cell ready for mitosis
- M phase: mitotic phase (cell divides into two daughter cells)
- G0 phase: quiescent state
Tumor suppressor genes (and the proteins ithey encode)
- repress cell cycle or promote apoptosis
> inhibit cell division
> initiate apoptosis following irreversible DNA damage
> DNA repair proteins (BRCA) - p53 is tumor suppressor protein that regulates cell cycle; mutated in 50% of all tumors
Gene important in repairing mutations in DNA sequences so it can restore normal functioning of cell =
BRCA gene
Proto-oncogenes
normal genes involved in cell growth and proliferation or inhibition of apoptosis
- mutations can increase expression (oncogene)
- mutations can be:
> point: small scale deletions or insertions which affect its expression
> chromosomal translocation: when two separate chromosomal regions become abnormally fused
Philadelphia chromosome
specific genetic abnormality in chromosome 22 found in leukemia cancer cells (abnormal translocation of chromosome 9 and 22)
- broken end of 22 contains the BCR gene which fuses with a fragment of chromosome 9 that contains the ABL1 gene (tyrosine kinase protein - important at regulating cell growth)
- fusion creates a new gene = BCR-ABL
- leads to unregulated expression of protein tyrosine kinase activity leading to unregulated cell cycle and cell division
Cancer Therapy
- 1/3 cured with local treatment strategies such as surgery or radiotherapy
- remaining cases = systemic approach with anti-cancer drugs is required due to metastasis
- anticancer drugs alone cure less than 10% of all cancer patients when tumor is diagnosed at advanced stage (usually given in combination with surgery and radiation)
Tamoxifen
anti-cancer drug that is cytotoxic at any point in the cell cycle
T or F. Few categories of medication have a narrower therapeutic index and greater potential for causing harmful effects than anti-cancer drugs
T
Four bases form DNA two (?) and two (?)
pyrimidines (thymine and cytosine)
and purines (guanine and adenine)
** RNA incorporates uracil instead of thymine **
Pyrimidine analogues
- compete with normal pyrimidines precursors for the enzyme thymidylate synthase (TS)
- TS required for the conversion of dUMP to dTMP (thymine + deoxyribose sugar)
- i.e. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)
- inactive in its parent form and requires activation to active metabolite FdUMP
5-FU
pyrimidine analogues; prodrug!
needs to be metabolized into an active metabolite: FdUMP = inhibits function of thymidylate synthase
Thymidylate Synthase (TS)
- important for maturation of pyrimidine bases (C or T)
- involved in conversion of precursor molecule dUMP into mature base thymine for ex
- thymine monophosphate to be converted into thymine triphosphate where it can then be incorporated into a growing DNA chain (deoxyribose sugar important for growing DNA chain)
Purine analogues
- 6-mercaptopurine inhibits purine nucleotide biosynthesis and metabolism by inhibiting an enzyme called phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase (PRPP amidotransferase)
- rate limiting factor for purine synthesis (PRPP amidotransferase), so drugs that inhibit that enzyme alters the synthesis and function of RNA and DNA
bc no building blocks available to make DNA, then this interferes with cell division
Alkylating agents
highly reactive compounds which covalently link to chemical groups (phosphates, amines, sulfhydryl and hydroxyl groups) commonly found in nucleic acids
- lead to cross-linking between strands of DNA and strand breakage
in order to replicate DNA normally , need to separate strands of DNA in order to let enzyme machinery in to replicate DNA sequence so covalently binding two strands interfere w ability of the cell to replicate DNA and can also lead to strand breakage which halts replication process
Bifunctional alkylating agents
can cause intrastrand linking and cross-linking (really strong)
This is particularly susceptible to the formation of covalent bond with alkylating agents
N7 atom of guanine
Cancer cells are most susceptible to alkylating agents in …
late G1 and S phases of the cell cycle (as entering into DNA synthesis pathways)
Cisplatin
alkylating agent
- platinum analogue (platinum binds to nitrogen of DNA strand (on guanine); basically swaps it out
- lead to interstrand crosslinks leading to inhibition of DNA synthesis and function
- one nitrogen ion on cisplatin that can bind to that nitrogen molecule on guanine and lead to covalent cross-linking events b/w two guanine molecules
- binds to other bases but at much lower affinities ; so guanine-directed really = guanine much more susceptible
Anti-folates
- folic acid is an essential dietary factor that is converted by enzymatic reduction to FH4 cofactors
- provide methyl groups for the synthesis of precursors of DNA and RNA (Thymine or uracil)
- folic acid analogues interfere with FH4 metabolism thereby inhibiting DNA replication
Methotrexate
- anti-folate
- folic acid analogue that bind with high affinity to the active catalytic site of dihydrofolate reductase
- effective during S phase and are most effective when cells are proliferating rapidly
Natural anti-cancer products
- extracted from plants or bacteria with anti-cancer properties
- include vinca alkaloids, taxanes, epipodophyllotoxins, camptothecins
Vinca Alkaloids
- derived from the periwinkle plant (Vinca rosa)
- inhibit tubulin polymerization
- disrupts the assembly (polymerization) of microtubules involved in mitotic spindle apparatus (M phase); drugs interfere w ability of cell to enter or exit mitosis
** when not In mitosis = tubulin dimers
then microtubules when dividing = provide structure and direction for cell to divide and once cell is divided = microtubules need to depolymerize or broken down back into tubulin dimers which allows cell to finish its division and completely separate from one another **
Taxanes
- derived from the Pacific yew tree (Taxus brevifolia)
- promote microtubule assembly through high affinity binding
- inhibits mitosis and cell division (M phase)
- i.e. paclitaxel
- encourages microtubules to stay as microtubules; inhibits depolymerization into tubulin dimers
Camptothecins
- derived from the Camptotheca acuminata tree
- DNA topoisomerases are nuclear enzymes that reduce torsional stress in supercoiled DNA (through strand breakage and resealing)
- camptothecins bind and stabilize the normally transient DNA-topoisomerase I complex
- although the initial cleavage action of topoisomerase is not affected, the re-ligation step is inhibited, leading to the accumulation of single-stranded breaks in DNA
- these are S-phase specific drugs because ongoing DNA synthesis is necessary for cytotoxicity
- not by initial cleavage .. cleavage still happens … but these drugs affect the re-ligation step
DNA topoisomerase
when replicating DNA, need to pull two strands apart so that the enzyme machinery can get in and read DNA strands to make a new strand of DNA but as you pull DNA strands apart that causes increase tension on the DNA strand further down and so the DNA topoisomerases are responsible for relieving torsional stress or increase coiling of DNA strands
- cut one strand of DNA temporarily to release tension and then they re-seal it together
whereas camptothecins = normally DNA strand being separated, topoisomerases run ahead to release tension and move as DNA strand replicates but these drugs stabilizes interaction and interfere with enzymes releasing tension
Antibiotics as anti-cancer treatment
- products of soil microbe Streptomyces
- bind DNA through intercalation, block DNA synthesis and cell replication
Anthracyclines (Doxorubicin)
- antibiotic as anti-cancer treatment
- most widely used anti-cancer drug
- 4 mechanisms of action:
> inhibit topoisomerases
> generate free radicals (DNA mutagenesis = push cell to accumulate sooo many DNA mutations that cell division is arrested and cell undergoes apoptosis)
>high affinity binding to DNA
> bind cellular membrane to alter fluidity and ion transport (leading to a reduction of the viability of the cell)
Miscellaneous anti-cancer drugs
used for very specific cancers in which particular mechanisms that have been identified are important
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
- miscellaneous anti-cancer drug
- imantinib
- inhibits the tyrosine kinase domain of the Bcr-Abl oncoprotein
- treats leukemia
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors
- miscellaneous anti-cancer drug
- EGFR is over-expressed in a number of solid tumours
- activation of EGFR promotes cell growth and proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, and angiogenesis
- Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody directed against the extracellular domain of EGFR
Hormonal anti-cancer agents
- miscellaneous anti-cancer drug
- Tamoxifen
- selective estrogen receptor antagonist
- ## blocks binding of estrogen to estrogen sensitive cancer cells in breast tissue
fuels the growth and division of breast cancer cells
Oestrogen
- certain breast cancers are susceptible or respond to estrogen
- estrogen leads to or promotes cell division and many breast cancer tumours express the estrogen receptors at high levels
- Tamoxifen inhibit estrogen signalling that can promote cell division
Primary Resistance
develops spontaneous in the absence of prior exposure to anti-cancer drugs (i.e. p53 mutations)
Acquired Resistance
develops in response to a given anticancer agent
- bc cells are rapidly dividing and acquiring more and more mutations, there’s lots of chance or opportunity for cancer cells to acquire mutations that confer some sort of resistance to the anti-cancer drug
Adverse effects of Anti-cancer drugs
- dose related; very narrow therapeutic window = also targeting non-cancer cell mechanisms
- occur primarily in rapidly growing tissues, such as bone marrow, intestinal mucosa, and reproductive system
- symptoms include impaired immune system, diarrhea, hair loss, nausea, and vomiting
- many anti-cancer drugs are carcinogenic in nature, thus increased risk of secondary malignancies
Adrenal Gland - Medulla
- adrenaline
- catecholamine/amino acid hormone
Adrenal Gland - Cortex
- zona glomerulosa
- zona fasciculata
- zona reticularis
- steroid hormones (where corticosteroids are formed; derived from cholesterol; lipid-permeable)
‘HPA’ axis
controls cortisol release from the zona fasciculata
This stimulates steroid production
ACTH (pituitary)
- after meals
- circadian rhythm (high just before waking)
ACTH is controlled by ___ from the hypothalamus
CRH/CRF (corticotropin releasing factor)
T or F. Steroid hormones are stored like peptides
F! they can’t; ACTH stimulates cortisol synthesis
HPA axis
hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis
Cortisol exerts negative feedback on:
- CRH (hypothalamus
- ACTH (anterior pituitary)
cortisol suppresses stress signals like cytokines involved in the stress response (‘other regulatory signals’)
Aldosterone
primary target is kidneys, promotes Na+/water reabsorption, K+ excretion
- mineralocorticoid response
Primary role of RAAS
to control blood pressure/volume
released by the juxtaglomerular apparatus (kidney); generates AT1 from angiotensin
Renin
- ACE converts AT1 to AT2
- AT2 triggers aldosterone release
Many glucocorticoid target tissues () express this:
- adipose, muscle, liver
- 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, type 1 = activates cortisol (HSD-1)
- corticosteroid specificity arises from affinity of the compound/receptor, AND metabolism in target tissues
Corticosteroid action/administration
Example: topical availability of Prednisone vs Prednisolone
Prednisone:
- not very effective topically
- widely used (oral, intake, injection)
- must be metabolized to prednisolone to become effective
Prednisolone:
- strong topical effect
- active form of prednisone
**first-pass metabolism in liver and in important GC target tissues **
Cortisol activates the GR and MR but has weak mineralocorticoid effects in vivo. Why??
- kidney cells (mineralocorticoid targets), express an enzyme (HSD-2) that renders cortisol inactive
- HSD-2 catalyzes reverse rxn where it converts cortisol to its inactive form; prevents cortisol from inappropriately activating mineralocorticoid receptors in kidneys
If HSD-2 were deficient or inhibited, what consequences would you expect? How would this affect the target tissues targeted by glucocorticoids, and the spectrum of glucocorticoid effects?
- Licorice contains an inhibitor of HSD-2
- allows glucocorticoids to have an inappropriate effect in aldosterone target tissues like the kidney
- licorice overdose = can cause high blood pressure (due to aldosterone-like effects including Na+ and water reabsorption)
Pseudohyperaldosteronism
a medical condition which mimics the effects of elevated aldosterone (hyperaldosteronism) by presenting with high blood pressure (hypertension), low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia), metabolic alkalosis, and low levels of plasma renin activity (PRA)
Apparent Mineralocorticoid Excess
- genetic disease
- arising from mutations in the 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 gene
Key glucocorticoid-mediated mechanisms in inflammation
- inhibits arachidonic acid generation
- inhibits prostanoid synthesis
^ these two effects have widespread downstream effects on inflammatory reactions
An important target for glucocorticoid action is COX-2
- COX-2 is an important inflammatory mediator, early in the process of inflammation
- COX-2 plays an early step in the metabolism of arachidonic acid to various prostanoids (depending on cell type)
- glucocorticoid regulation of COX-2 does not involve direct receptor antagonism
- Glucocorticoids suppress transcription of COX-2 gene, leading to a long-term suppression of COX-2 expression (protein levels)
- they do not directly bind to cyclooxygenase activity
- by taking corticoids, ending up suppressing component of our inflammatory response
Liportin induction by glucocorticoids
- lipocortin/annexins are a large family of proteins characterized by ‘annexin repeats’
- Annexin A-I plays an important anti-inflammatory role for two important reasons:
1. direct effects on leukocytes inhibits their tissue infiltration
2. suppression of phospholipase A2 activity; this prevents AA generation, and thereby suppresses downstream generation of prostanoids - these effects are very early in the inflammatory response, so they have broad powerful anti-inflammatory effects
Addison’s Disease
- chronic adrenocortical insufficiency (fatigue, salt balance, sugar balance problems, skin discoloration)
- low production of glucocorticoids, and often mineralocorticoids
- typically treated with GC/MC supplementation (hydrocortisone)
^ supplement patients w synthetic glucocorticoids or mineralocorticoids or possible synthetic corticosteroids that have effects on both receptor types